NAWSA GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE Peck, Mary Gray [*Collection*] LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE UNITED STATES 726 JACKSON PLACE WASHINGTON 6, D.C. MISS ANNA LORD STRAUSS President November 20, 1947 Miss Mary Gray Peck 30 East Chester Road New Rochelle, New York Dear Miss Peck: Yesterday we received by express the framed parchment message of President Wilson's on the Suffrage Amendment. We are very delighted to have it in our possession and wish to thank you very much for sending it to us. Sincerely yours, Frances Mount Mason Frances Mount Mason Administrative Assistant FMM/c LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE UNITED STATES 726 JACKSON PLACE WASHINGTON 6, D.C. MISS ANNA LORD STRAUSS President November 3, 1947 Miss Mary Gray Peck 30 East Chester Road New Rochelle, New York Dear Miss Peck: I am sorry to have delayed answering your letter of October 26, but I am just back from six weeks in the Southwest. We appreciate very much your offer of sending to us the framed parchment message of President Wilson's on the Suffrage Amendment. We shall be delighted to have this in memory of Mrs. Catt. It is indeed an historic memento of the years of work which she gave to enfranchise the women of this country. With very real appreciation of your thought of us, I am Sincerely yours, Anna Lord Strauss President ALS/c 253 Roger Williams Ave. Highland Park Ill June 10 1947 Dear Mary Gray Peck - It was good to get your letter and to know that you are sill going strong after the ordeal you have been through. Mrs. Catt's going surely makes a big dent in your way of life after all the years of your close association, but your wealth of memories will sustain you. Wish we could have a long, long talk. Now about the material you thought might be available for the suffrage section at Northwestern: I sent your suggestions to Dr. Mary E. Dillon, who is in charge of the collection, giving her your address, and asking that she write you at once. I have not heard from her and it is possible that she is out of town for the summer. When the Northwestern officials asked 2 Catherine Waugh McCulloch to establish a suffrage extension, she and Ella Stewart agreed that Dr. Dillon was the person to direct the work and she accepted the job. They also appointed a committee of 40 women to help it on its way. Just as they were ready to sort the material and complete the plan, Mrs. McC. and Mrs. Stewart died within a few weeks of each other and of course that put a crimp in the proceedings. I have not been in close touch with the program since then, but am glad that before their death I was able to help a lot. For instance, I persuaded Lucy Anthony to send a trunkfull of stuff, mostly S.B.A. and A.H.S. As you know, Mrs. Catt was born in the MidWest, at Ripon, Wis., not far from here, educated in our neighboring State of Iowa where she was reared, and it is only fitting that this great University should be in a position to pass on to 3 truth seekers the proper information about so great a woman. They have two copies of her life, the book written by you. Dr. Dillon is quite young, a widow whose husband died some years ago. She is very attractive and smart as they come, a member of the faculty and held in high esteem by her colleagues. She wrote the life of Frances Willard and the reviews were most complimentary. Here is her address: Dr Mary E. Dillon 303 Harris Hall, Northwestern University, Evanston Ill. I hope you will get in touch with Dr. Dillon since she is the one who is responsible for the success of this venture. I gathered up quite a number of clippings about Mrs. C.C.C. and sent them on to be added to the collection. No doubt you have seen M. Parkhurst by this time. She wrote one that she 4 would be visiting the big city this month. She is real good about writing and giving me the news from everywhere. I feel rather cut off from all the villains. There are too many saints in my present environment. Such a bore! Sorry to burden you with all this longhand, but I have no typewriter. Alas! Do let me hear from you about your activities and any changes you may make. I don't like to lose track of the few of us who are left. Did I ever tell you of the death of Julia Avery? Rachel's other daughter, Mrs. Walton, still lives at Moylan-Rose Valley. My friend Mrs. Kent of Swartmore is visiting her daughter who lives nearby. Mrs. Kent is the daughter of Mrs. Crossett, president of N.Y. State Suf. Assn. for many years. Heaps of love and best wishes Caroline I. R. March 11 - 1947 Dear Mary G Peck - A brilliant light has been turned off. For the past several years, as so many of our old friends passed away, one by one, I always took comfort in the thought that we still had Mrs. Catt. Now she, too, has been taken. It leaves me with a terribly forlorn feeling and very hard to make myself realize it is true. Hers was a vital personality, devoting a long life to the common good the world over. She wrought well, and accomplished much. What a loss! I should love to have you write me the details some time when you feel that you can and also about your future plans. Do take good care of yourself. With deepest sympathy Caroline I. Reilly 253 Roger Williams Ave. Highland Park Ill. (over) If you have any duplicate clippings I should be glad to have them for the suffrage collection at Northwestern University for the benefit of future historians. Caroline Reilly wants reply NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY EVANSTON, ILLINOIS THE COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS 314 Harris Hall June 12, 1947 Miss Mary Gray Peck 30 Eastchester Road New Rochelle, New York Dear Mis Peck: Miss Caroline Reilly sent word to me of the Woodhull and Claflin bound weekly. Northwestern University would be very glad to have this material. I am well acquainted with the Woodhull group. However, this constitutes a part of that remarkable woman's movement which finally achieved so much under the excellent leadership of Mrs. Catt. Not, however, that she is in the same category. Miss Reilly tells me you were once on the faculty of the University of Minnesota. It is a great university and you must have found it difficult to leave such a fine institution to go into the suffrage work. Of course you made history too in winning the vote for women. I have long known of your splendid contribution. It is most thoughtful and generous of you to wish to send some of Mrs. Catt's collection to this library. I assure you it will be appreciated and carefully used. Please address the package to me at the above address. Sincerely yours Mary Earhart Dillon Mary Earhart Dillon [*Wrote Dr Dillon Aug 14, 47, telling her the package of CCC papers had been sent to address above - 314 Harris Hll last week. Explained that ASB wanted Wood. & Claf. Weekly for Radcliffe & we sent it back to Boston. Askt if Northwestern wd. like ms. of CCC speech at Cong. Rep. Women Chicago Worlds Fair '93. - Also copy "Victory"*] 303 W. South 2nd St. Mt. Vernon, Iowa Jan. 19, 1950 Dear Miss Peck, How pleased I was to hear from you and learn of your activities. I have thought of you often, but my thoughts were not put on paper. The dissertation is still unfinished. My advisor is more difficult to please than I am. He thought that I was too complimentary to Mrs. Catt in the Biographical chapter, didn't like the arrangement and length of the Suffrage chapters and made various suggestions for rewriting much of it. I "hope" to finish it and graduate in June. I am head of the Speech Department here in Cornell College. This semester I am teaching 18 hours, supervising the college radio station KRNL, coaching all the forensic activities and working with 16 people who have special speech difficulties. My advisor said at Christmas that it was a "killing schedule." I've been able to do very little on my dissertation because of the press of work. My schedule for the new semester beginning February 6 consists of 11 1/2 teaching hours and only two special speech problems, plus the radio station and forensics. This is a small town of 1500. They have named the streets as they are in Washington D.C.! Somehow I am always confused. I think it would be much simpler to just name them after birds, flowers, trees or famous men. I wish you could have some of our abundant water supply. I do hope that conditions there will improve. Do write me about the liquidation of the N.A.W. S. Association. I want to put that in my chapter. Did they vote to give the money to the C. C. C. Memorial Fund? On December 28, 29 and 30, I attended the National Speech Ass'n Convention in Chicago. The sessions were most interesting and inspiring. Also I saw so many of my friends and just talked with them until I was tired. I do envy you your opportunity to read. How glad I will be to have some leisure time. I've been invited to spend the summer in California. Best wishes to you for 1950! Lola W. Apt. 9--718 Clark Street Evanston, Illinois January 16, 1949 Miss Mary Gray Peck 30 Eastchester Road New Rochelle, New York [*Ans Jan 27*] Dear Miss Peck: I appreciate very much your gracious letter of December 1, 1948 telling me where the different collections of Mrs. Catt's speeches and other materials are located. You gave such full and carefully detailled reports of the different collections which enabled me to know exactly where to go to secure the missing materials that I need. After I received your letter, I wrote to Mrs. Clevenger telling her of my study. I received a reply but no details of her study or progress. I wrote her again; she received the letter about December 18th, but to date I have not had a reply. Under the circumstances, I have decided to continue with my study which I hope to finish in four or five months. Probably I shall go East to study the materials in the various libraries. I hope to leave within two weeks. I would like very much to go to New Rochelle and talk with you about Mrs. Catt's speaking. I promise not to tire you or to take up your time unnecessarily. Would it be possible for you to see me for a short while, if I can make the trip there? I thought probably that I could run down on the train either on my way to or from New York. I thank you for your offer to loan me the Minutes of the meetings on the Cause and Cure of War. I shall be very happy to have the use of them and will take good care of them. You have been most helpful and I am deeply grateful. Sincerely yours, Lola Walker [*Ans 4/18*] Apt. 9 -718 Clark st Evanston, Ill. Mar. 27, 1949 Dear Miss Peck, I have waited until I returned here to write you. I've been trying to collect my thoughts but between washing and ironing clothes and sorting and arranging my dissertation material, it seems I don't have much chance. My trip was indeed very profitable. I feel that the material which I got plus the associations was well worth every bit of the time and expense. I can never fully express to you my gratitude for the information and interesting side lights on Mrs. Catt which you gave me. That will be most valuable in writing the dissertation. Aside from that, it was such a pleasure to meet you. I'll always remember your graciousness and your friendly hospitality. I told my adviser all about you, and described you, and he was most interested. I just wish that New Rochelle were not quite so far from here so that I could have the privilege of seeing you often. I received the list of honors Mrs. Catt received which you sent to me in New York. I want to bring those in in the chapter about her. As soon as I can go over my notes, re-read them and read over the speeches again and file them all as I'll use them in chapters, I shall be ready to start writing. The trip gave me an added enthusiasm as well as more material, and I am anxious to get started. I forgot to tell you one thing Mrs. Stantial asked me to mention to you. I'm sure she will talk to you about it later. She wondered if you would be willing to go over Mrs. Maud Wood Park's book Front Door Lobby and edit it. I believe she thought that it might be a nice idea to publish it after Mrs. Park passed on as a memorial to her. It was such a privilege to meet and become acquainted with Mrs. Stantial, to meet Mrs. Johnson, Miss Alice Stone Blackwell and to come to know Mrs. Park. My only regret has always been that I can't be with these lovely people whom I've met along life's path. I shall keep you informed of the progress on my dissertation. You have been a wonderful help in many ways, and I shall never forget it. I trust that you will have a very pleasant spring. Cordially yours, Lola Walker Apt. 9--718 Clark Street Evanston, Illinois November 29, 1948 Miss Mary Gray Peck Beechmont Towers New Rochelle, New York Dear Miss Peck: I am a graduate student in the School of Speech of Northwestern University. The topic of my dissertation is "The Speaking and Speeches of Carrie Chapman Catt." Now I am locating all the material for this study. Of course, I shall use your excellent biography of Mrs. Catt for background. If possible, I should also like to secure the diary which Mrs. Catt kept. Could you tell me who has it, and what steps I should take to get it? So far, I have had difficulty in locating her speeches. I have found ten of them in various magazines. Is there a collection of her speeches? Did the Woman Suffrage Organization or the Organization for the Cause and Cure of War print any of her speeches? If so, where would I be able to secure them? I will appreciate very much any assistance you may be able to give me as I want to get all the information possible and to do justice to Mrs. Catt. Sincerely yours, Lola Walker 30 Eastchester Road New Rochelle, N.Y. December 1, 1948 Dear Miss Walker; Your letter of November 28 requesting information as to the speeches and diary of Carrie Chapman Catt has just reached me. Files of copies of Mrs. Catt's speeches have been deposited in the MSS Department of the New York Public Library, Smith College Library, The Woman's Rights Collection of Radcliffe College, Bryn Mawr College Library. Several speeches made at the Conference on Cause and Cure of War meetings were printed in the Minutes of those meetings. During Mrs. Catt's incumbency as Chairman, the Minutes were verbatim reports of all sessions at the annual meetings, and Mrs Catt's talents as presiding officer are abundantly illustrated. I have an incomplete file of the years L925 - 1933, when Mrs Catt was Chairman. If you think they would be of use, I should be glad to lend them to you. Copies of Mrs Catt's Diary of her trip around the world, 1911-1912, and her trip to South America, 1922-23, are deposited in the Library of Congress, MSS Dept. It may be that copies are in the MSS Dept. of the New York Public Library. However I dont see that they contain material pertinent to your study. I have read them and they are exclusively concerned with what Mrs Catt saw, people she met, and her deductions therefrom hastily set down. There are two recordings of a broadcast by Mrs Catt, "Women in the Making of America", June 23, L939, over the Blue Network, in the Rare Books Division, Library of Congress, in the National American Woman Suffrage Collection presented by Mrs Catt to the Congressional Library. There doubtless are many other broad cast records deposited in libraries of the main networks, for she was frequently called on to speak on current topics. In conclusion, May I add that a dissertation on Mrs Catt as public speaker is in process of composition by Mrs Earl Clevenger, 1026 E. Edwards St., Edmond, Okla. Sincerely yours, M.G.P MADELEINE B. STERN 317 WEST 99 STREET NEW YORK 25, N.Y. November 23, 1949 Aws 11/27/49 Miss Mary Gray Peck: 30 East Chester Road New Rochelle, New York Dear Miss Peck: You may recall our brief correspondence last year regarding that very colorful personality, Mrs. Frank Leslie. I am now preparing a full-length biography of Mrs. Leslie, and have taken the liberty of enclosing a questionnaire concerned with her life and career. I am particularly eager to locate the Leslie and Follin family correspondence. If you can help me on that score, or in answering any of the enclosed questions, I shall indeed be most grateful to you. Yours sincerely, Madeleine B. Stern 240 East 23rd St., New York City 10 July 29, 1947 Miss Margaret Grey Peck, 30 East Chester Road New Rochelle, New York Dear Miss Peck: Enclosed you will find a copy of the list of documents which have been suggested for inclusion on the Freedom Train of the American Heritage Foundation. After talking with you over the telephone, today, I received a letter from Mrs. Howard who tells m she has a copy of "the first call to the Woman's Rights Convention" and suggests I write to Mrs. Emily Knight Mac Williams, 59 Cayuga Street, Seneca Falls, N.Y. who is in charge of the 1948 Centennial, to ask for further information regarding the original draft of "The Declaration of Sentiments". This I have done. As we are running short of copies of this list, may I ask you to forward this one to Mrs. Howard in the enclosed envelope? I shall write her she may expect to receive it from you. I have sent Miss Wilson a reply-postal, asking for the address of the Susan B. Anthony Memorial Library in California, as you suggest. Thank you for your interest. Sincerely, Eva vB Hansl (Mrs. Eva vB. Hansl) P.S. The first issue of the NY Times was in 1851. Reply Aug 1, 47 Dr. Mrs. Hansl:- Have examined with gt interest list of feminist documents proposed for [collection] exhibition on Freedom Train, and have mailed the list in your stamped envelop addressed to Mrs Geo. Howard in Rochester as [you] requested. [I discovered after you phoned me that the reprint of the Dec of Sentiments I discovered my mistake about the 1940] I note on page headed "Revisions on Documents etc." the ¶ following 18 Decl. of Sentiments states that the first WS Amdt. was introduced by Sen. Sargent in 1878. This is incorrect. The first W. S. Amdt was introduced Mar. 15, 1869 in the House of Rep. by Geo W Julian, Indiana [and] Senators Pomeroy of Kas. and Wilson of Iowa introduced the same Amdt in the Senate. The language of the Amdt was identical with that of the 15th Amendt except the substitution of "sex" in place of "race, color or prev condition of servitude". 350½ West 24 Street New York 11, N.Y. December 8, 1955 Dear Miss Peck: I want first to tell you of my success in contacting Mrs. Stantial, according to your suggestion, in connection with finding Mrs. Catt's letters for my book on the woman's rights movement. She answered my letter of inquiry most courteously and promptly; she is going to California for the holidays but it seems altogether likely that I can see her in February and talk to her about the material she has. I have gone through all the accessible material relating to Mrs. Catt in the New York Public Library, and have found it of great value in two areas: the New York state campaigns, and the overall ratification drive after passage of the federal amendment. However that still leaves me facing some huge gaps. And the more work I do and the more material I go through, the more questions I have. The period down to the death of Susan B. Anthony has been exhaustively dealt with; the more recent, and far more complicated period, has never been written about (in book form) by anyone who did not take part in it or at least live through it. I feel that I face a great responsibility in trying to do an objective and authoritative piece of work, where angels themselves wouldn't dare to alight! And certainly one thing I must do is make every effort to see and talk to those I can, who took part in those momentous days. What I am leading up to, dear Miss Peck, is a real cry from the heart that you will let me come down now and see you! The advantage to me would be incalculable, for not only did you work with Mrs. Catt but you have a unique perspective through having written your biography of her, and as author you understand my problems. I realize that you are not well and that my coming would be a burden to you, but I would do everything possible to make it an easy one. I would organize my questions so as to make the least possible demand on your time and strength. I could come down at any time that you would name, on a day's notice, - or less, if you communicated with me by wire or telephone (my number is ALgonquin 5-3585). I could come down on an early morning train to Philadelphia and be at your home by noon I feel sure, by train, bus or taxi, or see you in the afternoon if that were preferable to you. I make this plea in the light of all you and Mrs. Catt have already done to try and make the record clear for later comers. Ever since I became interested in the history of women in this country some years ago I have marveled that no adequate account existed, and I want to try my very best to fill that gap. The more I read of their struggles and sacrifices, the more I want to write the best possible book in gratitude and honor to the wonderful women who did so much for me and my generation--please help me all you can! Sincerely, Eleanor Flexner ELEANOR FLEXNER 350 1/2 WEST 24TH STREET NEW YORK 11, N.Y, February 21, 1956 Dear Miss Peck: I am trying to track down the whereabouts of the official minutes of the National American Woman suffrage Association. I believe you made use of these in your biography of Mrs. Catt, as you made some footnote reference to them. I had thought these were in the Library of Congress, but after a good deal of correspondence and searching, the acting head of the Manuscipt Division there has written me that they do not have any such material. They are not in the collection of books and other printed material donated by Mrs. Catt in 1938, and now housed in the Rare Book Room there.* Mrs. Stantial has not been able to throw any light on the problem. The Woman's Archives at Radcliffe has a few scattered minutes in their Laidlaw collection, which they are now processing, but nothing more. Is it possible that these records might be in the possession of the present officers of the Association? I would deeply appreciate any sug- *Nor are they in the New York Public Library. gestions you could make. Sincerely yours, Eleanor Flexner Eleanor Flexner Nov. 1955 My dear Miss Flexner; Replying to your letter of November 1 asking for information as to where the letters of Carrie Chapman Catt may be obtainable, I can only suggest a few places in addition to those mentioned to you by Mrs. Grierson of the Smith College Library. When the Nineteenth Amendment enfranchising women was ratified in 1920, the headquarters of the National American Woman Suffrage Assn. were shortly afterward closed. The files of correspondence and other documentary material of historic value were examined by Mrs Catt, Mrs Shuler and other officers of the National Suffrage Assn. and the material applying to the campaign in each state was offered to the Woman Suffrage Assn. of that State. Some states accepted the documents offered and placed them among their Historical Society collections .where they may be found, and among them are letters from Mrs. Catt. The letters of Mrs. Catt placed in the New York Public Library by her Executors after her death are not available for inspection I believe until 1965. But also placed in the New York Library by Mrs. Catt herself are a some doser files of correspondence covering the two New York State suffrage campaigns of 1916 and 1918. I suspect that those files would be very rewarding in showing Mrs Catt in action at the crisis of her career. For it was the victory in New York that made victory inevitable in the nation. The movement for Woman's Rights in this country began in New York in 1848 and was won there in 1918. M.G. Peck [*Ans 11/18/55*] 350½ West 24 Street New York 11, N.Y. November 11, 1955 Miss Mary G. Peck 739 Wyndale Road Jenkintown, Pa. Dear Miss Peck: I am writing at the suggestion of Mrs. Margaret S. Grierson, of the Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College, to whom I turned in my search for the letters of Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt. I am at work on what I am aware is a very ambitious project indeed--an account of the woman's rights movement in this country. In this connection I have been very grateful for your most helpful biography of Mrs. Catt. However, as I am sure you will understand, I am anxious to see whatever first-hand material is available. Mrs. Grierson has informed me that they have Mrs. Catt's letters for only two years; there are also letters from 1910 and I believe 1915 or '17 in the New York Public Library. Mrs. Grierson thought you would know where I could locate the rest, at least those that were distributed by Mrs. Catt's executors. I would very much appreciate any information you could give me. I wondered also whether sometime when I am in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, I might call on you-- I expect to be at Swarthmore, working in the Jane Addams Collection there, some time this winter or next spring. It would be a vert stimulating and helpful experience to talk at firsthand with someone like yourself who worked so closely with Mrs. Catt. I hope I am not imposing on your time and kindness with my requests. Sincerely yours, Eleanor Flexner (Miss) Eleanor Flexner 11/10/44 Dear Mary Gray Peck– This is my first post election letter. It will necessarily be brief but must be written – first to thank you for writing the book about our great friend and leader Mrs. Catt. When most discouraged about "political education" etc in the campaign I saw clearly the picture you drew – when she sat for hours alongside a grain elevator in one of the Dakotas waiting – and then after the meeting – sleeping with the school teacher and all the family etc etc. That one experience alone made me know our task is a "lead pipe cinch" in comparison. Will you be good enough to give her my love and best wishes and tell her from where I sit – her Cause & Cure of War Committee – work – followed up by Foreign Policy Association and now by United Nations – is the yeast that worked a remarkable result. For once we can clearly see that political education (labor thru its agencies and Int. Labor Office included) made an issue, "Isolationism vs. Internationalism" clear & conclusive. To have had the vision to start all of this was truly inspiration and we women can always be grateful. Here in Minn we did peculiar things but won two seats in congress– (I'll include the clipping – an Alger tale) Mr. Gallagher filed independently – won in the primaries over DFL endorsed candidate and now wins over Richard Gale (you know the family) are who supported Stassen and tried (2 yrs ago) to liberalize the Republican party. Six women ran – all defeated – but not as badly as might have been. I am having a College Club meeting 2 Dec 11 – called "Election Post mortem", for "Victors and Vanquished" – but now I shall have the printer change "and" to "tho". Of course labor CIO, PAC, did the work here (as in many other places). I enjoy working with most of them even tho I live in a district that disapproves highly – women were treated with respect – less much less liquor around than 20 years and a purposefulness apparent everywhere. The Secy. of State Mike Hohn & I had no mud slinging and were & are friendly thruout – He didn't make one speech – at L. of W Voters dinner he said, he would give his time to Miss K. He beat me 3 to 1 in state but in Hennepin Co. less than 2 to 1. I didn't work except to elect Mr. Roosevelt and as a Pres. Elector I'll go over to St Paul and cast the ballot for him. Now I plan to help younger women to run for office on local, state and national levels. There is gross ignorance however – (some College women didn't know they could split their ticket). I wish I could visit – I have a very poor pen – my thot jumps so far ahead of what I am writing but perhaps this will give you a vague idea. Men candidates on our ticket in many cases were poorly trained for public office – so I am sure women could do no better thing than to try. When I come east next time we must get together– Best wishes and love from Emily KuenBuhl. In your book my name is under the "wrong gal" – I wasn't there and hope the real one won't object – but I'm glad I'm in the book!!! 191 S. Los Robles Ave. Pasadena 5, Calif. Mar. 26. '47 Dear Mary: Of late I'm near invalided, but I hope to find your book at the Library, when I am able to go again. How interesting your long connection with Mrs. Catt must have been! Now you'd better take time to come this way for a pleasant winter of change. Are you writing anything else? I hope to get out my second book of verse now before long, if there is good paper in the offing. I have enough material partly done for four books, but little vitality for the labor required. Am more interested in Ethics for Schools than anything else, and want to find a collaborator in this line. Come on– and work on it with me! It is well on the way, and I don't want it to go into an incinerator, when I pass out. If you can't think of it, do you know an interested young person who would like to contribute to this great aim. I can't think of anything so important or inspiring except the U. N. (if even that, with the obstacles of "veto" - &c. it encounters and must somehow surmount. Am enclosing some clippings from the Pasadena Star-News of the last few days. Love & all best wishes– Emily St. John [*Ans 7/27*] 2103 GARFIELD AVENUE, MINNEAPOLIS, 5, MINNESOTA July 5, 1944 Congratulations, dear Mary Peck! Your book is marvelously well done – not a dull paragraph in the long story – and that only partly because of the interest and thrill that the tale itself carries, but largely because of your fine sense of arrangement and your sense of humor! The work of assembling essential data and the many little personal touches secured from letters, clippings and doubtless from Mrs. Catt's own lips, must have been tremendous! I thot that I knew the story of Mrs. Catt's wonderful contribution to progress, but you have brot out many activities that I did not know about, or had forgotten, and I had many a thrill I assure you, in reading your delightful recitals! How remarkable it is, that the last ten years of her long life should have been so full and so productive of results! I recall her years of illness in the early part of this century, when she would not give up, but made speeches when she should have been in bed and held board meetings around her bed at the hotel!! She refused to give up the struggle and did not go down under it, fortunately for the world of today! Frances Potter would have been proud of you, Mary. I am lending my prized book to Helen Fisk. - gratefully yours Maud C Stockwell Lillian H. Weston Oaks Corners, New York [*ans*] June 20, 1944 Dear Mary; You will hear from Frances and Flora some time, but as they are very busy and not here, thought best to let you know book and package arrived O.K. I have read about 100 pages, and am anxious to get time to finish. Frances is still in Albany Hospital and will be until the first of the year. The nursing part does not finish until August. The State exams, later in Fall. She thinks she would rather stay there where she knows Drs and nurses for a while. Flora is at Watkins Glen taking care of an old lady (91). She went the 18th of May. Do not know when she will be home again. Eva is holding down the farm and I am going to be with her after July 8. Ann was well last time I saw her. Now that you have your book done, you will not know what to do to pass time, so I wonder if you could tell me whether there is such a thing as a family group. Some where in the back of my mind I can see one that was LILLIAN H. WESTON Oaks Corners, New York taken up at your home one summer to celebrate some occasion. It might have been a birthday or wedding anniversary. But I know Fred, Lora and Mary Gary were there. Carolyn, Harry and Mary Gray sat down in front. Ann gave me a group that was taken at Tanglewood that has all of their family The "in laws" and some grandchildren. Now if I could get one of the group taken at your home would have all the Family in the 2 pictures. So many thanks dear Mrs. Gray-Peck for your wonderful book! Genevieve Tabouis GENEVIEVE TABOUIS EDITOR - PUBLISHER 535 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK, N. Y. MURRAY HILL 3-6208 Ann says she remembers the occasion and thought she had the picture but cannot find it. If you should have two, could I buy one. I have this one framed and frame ready for the other. I want to hang them together so I can see all my relatives at once. Write once in while now your are out of work and come up this way sometime. Love from Lillian The Society of Nations Must Be Universal and Any Regional Federations or Unions Must Come Within Its Framework. Connecticut Branch LEAGUE of NATIONS ASSOCIATION, INC. 38 MANSFIELD STREET NEW HAVEN Telephone 6-6417 ELLSWORTH HUNTINGTON President FREDERICK S. CHASE BERKELEY COX GEORGE ST. JOHN, JR. Vice-Presidents MRS. FLORENCE L.C. KITCHELT Executive Director MRS. KINGSBURY MATSON Secretary EDWARD P. SPITZNER Treasurer [*Ans 4/30/45*] Sept.18,1944 Miss Mary Grey Peck Care H.W. Wilson co. Dear Miss Peck; You have made a delectable and exciting book out of Mrs. Catt's life--I want to congratulate you upon its dramatic quality. It must have been hard to make choices in the wealth of material presented; you have shown yourself an artist in that as well as in felicitous phrasing. I laughed over "military Acacia" for the Spanish-American War! You will not remember me---but I met you long ago when I was working for suffrage in my home town, Rochester. There I gathered 5000 names myself on petitions in that campaign 1916-17, and then came to Connecticut to help with the petition work, where I added just 1000 more to my own collection. I have always admired Mrs. Catt--remembering her first at the Atlantic City convention. So I have ordered the biography from the publisher; Alice Clement loaned me her copy to read. The book has not been advertised, evidently. Is it because Mrs. Catt is so very ill, that you expect to write the last chapter soon? Please accept this message of admiration for your fine work from your fellow-westernNewYorker, with many good wishes, Sincerely yours, Florence Cross Kitchelt Director. Mrs.) LLEWELLYN PLACE ELYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA Dear Mary Gray Peck, I wish you were face to face with me this August morning that might have the pleasure of expressing my appreciation of your biography of Carrie Chapman Catt. In ever detail of the publication, binding, paper, printing and composition, all are worthy of highest praise. Many, many loving thanks to Mary Gray Peck! Above all is the inspiration and admiration of a life so lived that others have followed in the years past and will follow thru the years to come. There has been lighted lights that will in the years to come continue to shine more and more. With all best wishes for outstanding success LLEWELLYN PLACE ELYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA of both publications and gratitude with love, Yours ever, Effie G. Llewellyn P.S. If Frances Giuon-Brown is with you, kindest remembrance and love, I would send her. August 1, 1944 July 26, 44 [Ans Aug 18] Dear Mary Gray Peck, Your biography of Mrs. Catt has been a delight to me. It is written in the simple straight English I can understand and like reading. None of the straining after cleverness that is tiring, but I do love the occasional word with a Mary Gray Peck twinkle in it. Having to read all day long chemistry and physics and subjects beyond my comprehension I read at home only the lightest stuff except for a short time in the morning when drinking my coffee – then mostly Spanish or Italian (guesswork) but an occasional real book. I had counted on reading "Carrie Chapman Catt" little by little at breakfast. But it was so absorbing that it was hard to lay down even after the coffee cup was empty to the last ground and the hour for work had come And at night when I am used to falling asleep over a seven murder thriller, the story of the suffrage fight kept me awake. I wish it were possible to tell you without sounding silly just how it seemed to me. It was like reading between the lines a piece of my own autobiography – or rather the biography of a person that once was "me". My middle life had dropped out of my consciousness. Your book brought it all back and made me realize how large a part the suffrage fight played in it. Many of the leaders I had heard speak; some I had not even seen but they were all much a part of my mental make-up. I lived with them for years. That – your book made me realize. What a thrilling story it is, the struggle for suffrage and what a marvel is Mrs. Catt that she could win it so peaceably. The greatest wonder is not her singleness of purpose which led her to give all her time and strength and remarkable ability to the cause but her making votes for women so big a thing that she was able to take serenely and even turn to good account all the chicanery and personal attacks from the outside and the petty bickerings and jealousies from within. How was she able to it! Anyway that is the impression you gave me of Mrs. Catt in your book and it is inspiring. Do you ever come to the City? Wish we might have dinner together - any night. It would be a treat to me. Gratefully yours Marion Polter Elmira, N.Y. 527 W. Water St. July 17 '44 [*Ans 7/29*] My dear Mary: Am I not happy and proud to think that I know the author of a great biography of a great lady! This morning the H. W. Wilson Co. has sent me the folder with its delightful photographs and most alluring foreword, beside a letter from John C. Evans, which is enough to sell your book. I have needed the data he gave me. Now I can do some advertising intelligently in the Elmira book stores. I immediately called the Derby book store asking for "Carrie Chapman Catt's Biography" - but the proprietor, Miss Derby did not have it. So I ordered it thru the former "Billings Book Store". Probably you remember it as thru Hosmer Billings when you were here. The Derby Book Store is the successor to the Billings store– Then the other bookstore McGreery's – on E. Water St. should get it in stock. I will inquire there also – and tell them so. There are several lending libraries here that ought to get it, and by all means the Elmira Public Library. I'll look that up also. You must be all on the qui-vive every day as your sales are coming in. I know that I will be wanting to congratulate you again after I read your 495 page biography. The class of '89 of Elmira College feels glorified in having an author as a member. My brother Edward has an historical novel in his publishers hands which may come out in the fall – (keeping fingers crossed.) Title of the same is "Refugee River". The background – "The Susquehanna River and The French Refugee Royalty there" during the Revolution. Ed's hobby is writing. He gets much pleasure in this recreation. Elmira College is undergoing wholesale renovations – especially old Cowles Hall – particularly this summer the chapel– I tremble at the proposed changes – for time and tide must sweep away old historic and artistic loved associations. The dear Gothic arches – the curved lines of grace of my day – alas! They are now out of date – unpractical. Mr. Marshall Lomman is at the head of the College repairs going on. To get the cash-a big drive will be put forward this fall for over $250000. With dearest love and best wishes for your complete happiness, dear Mary. Do you plan to stay at home all summer? I hope Frances is happily fixed by now. As ever yours & love from sister Mabel Sue. P.S. An addenda seems inevetable! Ernestine French, Elmira alumnae secretary, has resigned – having reached age for such a step– She has leave for a year however,– & then a pension. She's taking the Saguenay river trip now. Do you think it is the duty of an alumnae assoc'n to pay the salary of a college alumnae Secretary? There is talk that Elmira College Assoc'n shifted its responsibility for this on the college. I believe our association never realized that such was our responsibility. [*Ans Sept 2*] 527 W. Water St. Elmira, N.Y. Aug. 30 '44, Dear Mary: I am greatly enjoying your book. You have brought distinction to our old class of '89. I have been asked to contribute to the College Bulletin, fall number under '89 Items– The fact is I have no personal items, except the big one – so I am taking the liberty to give Mrs. Catt's Biography a brief announcement with a quotation from [*Your book is handsome. To read it is like a liberal education for me.*] your foreword – I have written it today – for our new alumnae secretary, but it occurred to me that I had better withhold it – so as to give you the news – provided you want to make objections. Too bad Ernestine French could not continue to be our secretary. Miss Frances Beebe of Elmira has the work now. She is a fine person – but Ernestine will be dreadfully missed How timely is this biography now that we are all studying a new world order to be established. Mrs. Catt's studies are wonderful guides in the direction of peaceful settlements. Please don't say no. It's just a bit I wish to quote in your foreword – one para- graph. It is generous of you to give the two books to Elmira College Library. I wrote briefly to Frances Brown but probably she is unable to use her hand to write. How is she? I know only that she is in the hospital. I am terribly sorry. I hope Lorian sees her quite frequently. What would she do without you my dear Mary! No doubt her Quaker friends are attentive. Give my dear Frances my devoted & loving sympathy. How are you standing this strenuous lift? A nap a day helps keep the doctor away. Now I must wash those everlasting dishes. Yours lovingly with congratulations. Sue Rose. June 30, '44 620 East LeLand Street - - Chevy Chase, Maryland [*ans*] Dearest Zia, I can't tell you how delighted and interested we are in your book. Jim read your preface and part of the background and exclaimed "She's done it!" Of course we knew you would but it is very nice to see you at your best in print. The anedotes in the early part of the book sound most like your best story telling form. You surely have worked a lot of history of the period into your biography, too. I wonder how Mrs. Catt likes it. Has there been time yet for reviews of your book? I'll keep my eye peeled for them here. I am tremendously impressed by the numerous interesting quotations from letters & other source material that you have made. What a wealth of it you had to draw on. It surely must have been a Herculean task to sift them all down and come out with so much of interest. I wish I could tell you how very proud we are of you, Zia, Dear. I have received notice that the chairs have arrived at the B. & O. station and have engaged a truck man to bring them out, In fact they should have arrived today. Surely they will come tomorrow and I can hardly wait to see them! Am having a rushing day to-morrow getting Geo. ready to leave for camp Thurs. and entertaining Miss Gladys Anslou of the Smith Physics Dept. Jim is off to-night on a three days trip to Boston N.Y. & Philly. Best of love from your prouder-than-ever namesake. Mary Gray. (Koehler) Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.